Friday, August 31, 2007

I found this article on Deb's blog and just loved it so thought I would share it with my blogging friends.A recent study indicated, that Yarn and thread gives off certain Pheromones that actually hypnotize women and cause them to purchase unreasonable amounts.When stored in large quantities, in enclosed spaces, the Pheromones, (in the yarn,) cause memory loss and induce the nesting syndrome, (similar to the one squirrels have, before the onset of winter, i.e. the storing of food,) therefore, perpetuating their species and not having a population loss due to their kind being cut into pieces and mixed with others.Sound tests have also revealed, that these yarns, emit a very high-pitched sound, heard only by a select few, a breed of women known as"loomers." When played backwards on an LP, the sounds are heard as chants, "buy me, loom me, and wind me into a ball ".In order to overcome the so called "feeding frenzy effect," that these yarns cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility and use ear plugs, to avoid being pulled into their grip.(One must laugh, however, at the sight of customers in a yarn store, with WWII army gas masks and headphones on!).Studies have also indicated, that aliens have inhabited the earth, helping to spread the effects, that these yarns have on the human population. They are called "YARN STORE CLERKS".It's also been experienced, that these same Pheromones, cause a pathological need, to hide these yarn purchases, when taken home (or atleast blend them into the existing stash.) When asked by a significant other if the yarn is new, the reply is, "I've had it for awhile."Author UnknownLOL

So ladies we are ok!! There is no need to call the doctor or run out to a shrink. Having our halls, closets, guest rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, cars, and garages filled with yarn is just part of being a "Stitching Gal" it's ok and better yet it's a good feeling to own a peice of the big "Yarn ball" of the world. So go out and buy some more of that yarn this weekend all the shops have sales!!!!

The answer lies in what is called The Four Knitting Truths, which are questions we all ask ourselves but raely are we truthful with the answers. And we are all guilty of not "wanting" to know the true answers.

These Four Knitting Truths are the main factors you have to take into account when planning a crocheted or knitted garment:

1. The truth about yourself. Your REAL measurements and body type (not the measurements you fear you have, or imagine you have!).2. The truth about the pattern. Ease, style, construction, color.3. The truth about the fabric. Qualities of the yarn, stitch pattern, and how these are affected by gauge.4. The truth about your expectations and needs. What do you want your sweater to look like? What silhouettes do you prefer? Are you being realistic about what looks good on you and what doesn't?

Question: Are we crocehting or knitting for an imaginary "me", or for the REAL "me?" When was the last time you measured yourself? When was the last time you stood in front of a mirror and carefully (and KINDLY) evaulated the woman who stands before us? I mean I tend to stay away from the mirror, don't you? I am sure I am not the only one out there with a "mirror phobia?"

There's a great little page on How To Measure Yourself, with photos and instuctions on how to measure the basic width measurements of bust, waist, and hip. I absolutly love it. It has all the right places where we need to place the tape measure and know the truth about our own body measurements. And there is an extra two dimensions for those who have extra curves like me. :) They are called: Buddha Belly and High Tummy.

It's also good to start with a few basics, particularly since these are the ones that most patterns are based upon. Speaking of which, let's de-mystify three things: Finished Bust Measurement, Actual Bust Measurement, and Ease.

Finished Bust MeasurementWhy we care what it is: This is the main "base measurement" used in knitting patterns to denote the different sizes offered.What it IS: A measurement of the finished GARMENT, after it is knitted, blocked, and seamed (if needed).What it is NOT: A measurement of your exact bust size, unless you want it to be!How to find it: Lay the completely finished (again, knitted, blocked and seamed) garment on a flat surface, right side out, front up. Pat the garment flat, without overstretching it. Measure across the bustline from side to side at the widest point--generally just under the armholes. Multiply by two (front plus back), and this is the measurement of the finished sweater. Tricia finding her full bust measurement

Actual Bust MeasurementWhy we care: This is a measure of your body, which you add/subtract ease and styling factors to, and thus determine which finished bust size to make.What it IS: Your Full Bust Measurement, which is the circumference of your chest at its fullest/curviest/most voluptuous point.What it is NOT: This is NOT your bra band size! It is also not your underbust measurement, nor your high bust measurement.How to find it: Wearing the undergarments you would wear with a knitted top of the type you're intending to make, wrap a flexible tape measure around your bust. Make sure the tape lays flat, and goes only over your chest and shoulderblades, not over your arms or your cat or anything else. Wrap the tape around the biggest part of your bust. Breathe normally, and measure--do not hold your breath!

Ease FactorWhat is ease? Simply put: Ease is the extra fabric that allows space between you and your garments--space for things like moving, breathing, comfort, and extra layers of other clothing. The greater the ease in a pattern, the more fabric there is, and thus the more roomy space there is between you and your sweater. Negative ease means that there isn't any fabric to spare, that the fabric actually must stretch to cover your body. The more negative ease in a pattern, the more the fabric must stretch over a given curve.In other words: Positive ease: loose-fitting. Negative ease: curve-hugging and clingy.

There's lots more to getting to know the Real You: long waist, short arms, height, shape, and so forth.

Write down what you THINK your measurements are, before you break out the measuring tape. This information might be very enlightening after you've found out what the real you is--you might find out that you were knitting for an imaginary gal and not for your real self at all! Then check out the How To Measure Yourself page and see if you find you???

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love cotton yarn of any type and I also love Alpacca, I am just getting into wool as I just started to felt so any type of wool too. I like them all so I guess the answer to that is none..2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have aplastic zip up case right now for my hooks but they don't fit so I need to get a new one.3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? let's see over 20 yrs, wow time flies and I first learned from my mom when I was 9 yrs old...she was extrememly talented and taught me how to crochet first and then knit. I would say I am an advanced crocheter and maybe high beginner knitter to intermediate.4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? yes I have an amazon listed under "dbvbookwurm"5. What's your favorite scent? I love cinnamon and coconut6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? dark chocolate...yum7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? oh my I do a lot..I sew and make purses, clothes, and other intems, make jewelry, and I am a teacher so I do many paper projects and paper mache...8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I love celtic music and classic rock, and country, I like all music but not real fond of old country style or jazz as much9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love pink and burgundy, but I like all colors that are bright and colorful, not into the dark colors except I do like bl&white10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married and no kids at home all grown up now, I have fish, 1 dog, and 1 cat who thinks she owns the house. Don't they all?11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? yes, yes, no, for mittens, I live in So. CA. so its a bit warm for that, and yes on the last one.12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? purses13. What are you knitting right now? a purse of course, I usually design my own and make them for others or to sell14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? yes yes yes of course15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? circular, bamboo and plastic16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? no???17. How old is your oldest UFO? hmmmmits about 1 1/2 yrs old. its an intarsia purse that I am having a lot of problems with so I put it down for a bit...well for awhile ...18. What is your favorite holiday?I love Christmas and Halloween19. Is there anything that you collect? oh my lots, tea pots, music boxes, key chains, bookmarks, stitckers, Marilyn Monroe stuff, yarn of course20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? oh yes please see my Amazon wish list, and I would love Quick & Easy Crochet magazine21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Yes the invisible two sided knitting and Tunisian?22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am just learning that..I am a size 623. When is your birthday? April 4th24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? yes I am waiting for my acceptance still #

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Hello Hello... I am back...wowowowow...2 weeks of glorious R&R lots of crocheting and reading and writing...I loved it... But my router burned up so I have to use my hubby's anchient puter till the new one comes in the mail. Now you think with all this modern technology they would find a faster way to accommodate me???? I mean Verizon get it together...And to beat it all further, all my important info is on my puter so I am stuck trying to get to all my sites and catch up on email here on his puter... plus this router was only 1 yr and 4 days old.. They tried to get us stuck with a $149.00 bill for a new one but hubby told them a few choice words. *&%$!!@## so they changed their minds.. I mean we only have 2 house phones, one cabin phone, 2 cell phones, and our fiber optices Internet service with them...Jeezzzzzz....

Ok enough of that.. On to the vacation...WEllll we went to Bass Lake and it was soo pretty there in the high 90s and water was warm. John brought up his boat so we got to enjoy the lake and cruise all around. Hubby took me shopping and I got 3 great dresses...Thank you!!! One long sleeveless beach print navy, 2 orange print hawaiian style ones and more souvenirs.. :) Then we went off to Pismo Beach and I shopped again and got a tote bag and sweatshirt zip-up in peach to match...then we rented a little bicycle built for two with the surr on top ...I have to add a picture when i get on my computer..They are all there... We even got Foxy to ride in it.. It was a little cooler there as we were camped right on the ocean, but I loved it. Also took a day trip to Morro Bay.. Always a favorite of mine.. :) But glad to be back..

During World War I Americans of all ages were asked by the United States government to knit wool socks, sweaters, and other garments to warm American soldiers at home and abroad. Most of this knitting was produced by volunteers working under the auspices of the American Red Cross. During the course of the war more than 6,000 Seattle-area knitters as well as knitters from other parts of the state produced hundreds of thousands of knitted items for the war effort. The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. Germany surrendered and the war was over on November 11, 1918.

In May 1918 the Seattle School Bulletin printed this patriotic knitting song:

Johnnie, get your yarn,

get your yarn, get your yarn;

Knitting has a charm,

has a charm, has a charm,

See us knitting two by two,

Boys in Seattle like it too.

Hurry every day,

don’t delay, make it pay.

Our laddies must be warm,

not forlorn mid the storm.

Hear them call from o’re the sea,

‘Make a sweater, please for me.’

Over here everywhere,

We are knitting for the boys over there,

It’s a sock or a sweater, or even better

To do your bit and knit a square.

Be sure to turn the music on the side by to stop position before you play this!

Ok I am going Knitting Crazy here:

This is so cool...When the knitties planet starts eating them they have to take drastic action!Winner of Best Animation at The 2007 UK National Student Film Festival.Made by Max Alexander - www.maxsworld.co.ukMusic by The Stabilisers - www.thestabilisers.com (more)

Monday, August 06, 2007

This wonderful 60s Vintage crochet site I found while surfing on Robin's blog. What great dresses and they are also made in larger sizes!!!! How cool is that??

Now this is thecutest little tote bag for anyone, not just the kiddys and it is easy to make out of a towel none the less. I just bought some beach towels at Kmart that were 50% off because they are starting to get in Fall items, anyways I am going to make a much larger one for me.Randi gives you a complete tutorial on how to make these cute and simple bags. Also she has some wonderful other items to see too!

Cafe Press is one of my favorite sites to get items that are personalized and this little guy is the adorable!!!

Catherine at Cat Can Cook, how cute is that name, has another easy tutorial to help anyone make a tote bag!

If your a cat lover as I am then check out the Adoption Center of Virtual Squillion . And get your "squillion kitty now!!!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Wow my ITE arrived!! I love it. I mean the tote bag is huge and my favorite color...PINK!!! The handle is long and great for all my yarn projects!!! Thank you soooo much Anne...and I loved the pattern book ans yarn, and candles,and the yarn chart is perfect, it was a great package!!! Thank you Thank you !!!!!

Patterns Free or Buy

Check out Point Breeze Designsfor handmade items, bags, house hold items, everything for the whole family,and now "Treasures Again" in their PBD's Atticfor all your second-hand treasures. Its like E Bay without havingto bid! And be sure and bookmark thesite as it adds new items weekly!!!

Some of my Own Designs

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"Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest...It's about those who came and never left your side."

Quote:

Einstein once said, 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.' I must be insane then??? Since I crochet over and over again!! What would Einstein say to doing that I wonder?